A precious source like water, not a plenty in a partly deserted region like Calgary Horticulture Gardens, where I grew up from, becomes a really valued property.
In 1971, residents of Denver Colorado tried to conserve water so they come up with the idea of Xeriscape gardening calgary. If you are wondering what xeriscape means then it is a word derived from a Xeros in Greek which can be translated as dry.
The following are 7 guidelines in Xeriscape gardening to help you to start out.
1) Better the design
This concept is simple for gardens. Try to have a better design so it meets the watering needs of your garden.
Make sure you group the same plants together that have similar watering needs.
Also, you can cluster plants with low water requirement and plant them in the lower level of your garden so the water from the higher level flows easily downwards.
2) Is Turf really necessary?
Actually, we really don’t need big turfs since it takes up too much water. Think of a better way to plant in our garden, and we’ll be able to use fresh water sparingly.
3) Plants that need little water is good
It is better to use plants which are resistant to dry conditions in your garden design. Here are some suggestions.
Juniper berries, sandthorns, pygmy caragana, and potentilla. Shrubs like russian silverberry, and species of pines.
Some good perennials include succulents, grey or silver leafed plants, rock garden plants, and spring bulbs. Find other annual flowers and they will do just fine.
4) Nicely arrange your irrigation
One of the annoying things is to see someone water his lawn and his neighbor simultaneously. Change your irrigation system if you’re one of them.
Almost half of the overhead sprinklers are effected by evaporation. For this reason that you to need to change your overhead sprinkler more often then you originally thought. One effective solution is to use drip irrigation which has a low emitting system.
But understand that sometimes it becomes necessary to use overhead watering system, no problem! Try using it in the morning.
5) Consider the use of mulch
The perfect choice to minimize vaporization in garden is to use mulch from Pond Algae Solutions supply store. About 2 to 3 inches should be enough in your garden.
6) Improve the garden soil.
But if you have compost like a peat moss, then this shouldn’t be a concern.
7) Care for your garden.
It is of prime importance to maintain your garden all the time. This can be achieved by weeding regularly, keeping proper mulch level, and efficient irrigation systems. If you can attend to this issues, then your garden should be that economical in watering needs.
In short, xeriscaping makes it possible for people to use water smartly.
If you apply even some of the above mentioned techniques to your gardening then I am sure that you will be one in good shape with the changes of tomorrow.
You should be able to foresee that government will get tough on conservation of water, and you would have remembered what I have told you on xeriscape gardening and how it could have helped you prevent the fines in your water loss.
In the course of time, drip irrigation would be the choice of the majority over the overhead sprinklers.
You should be able to know that the key is to have fun in gardening and of course be intelligent in your use of water. Even if you don’t have Gardens to maintain like idea, research plants in your local area to make this work!
It doesn’t matter if you are engaging in a Calgary Garden Design or are are designing in some other region, using water wisely is important. In my Calgary Gardens we always take these xeriscape principals into consideration.
Written by: Custom Stone and Waterscapes 3829 Parkhill Place SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2W6 (403) 870-1142